Iran attacks Iraq's Kurdistan Region

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

Iran conducted drone strikes on Kurdish targets in northern Iraq for the latest time, injuring one Peshmerga fighter and targeting a site near Soran linked to the KDPI. The attack, occurring amid indirect U.S.-Iran talks and near the anniversary of the Kurdish independence referendum, illustrates Tehran’s ongoing campaign to pressure Kurdish dissidents and assert military reach within Iraqi territory despite diplomatic efforts.

Iran launched drone strikes against the autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq on Thursday, continuing a campaign of attacks targeting Kurdish dissident groups and other sites in the region. The strikes followed comments from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the United Nations, where he declared that Tehran would not yield to pressure from the United States.

Since February, Iran has conducted over 1,000 drone and missile attacks in the Kurdistan Region, aiming to deter Kurdish opposition groups like the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) and to demonstrate its capability to strike within Iraqi territory. The latest assault involved three drones launched by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeting a village near Soran, located in Erbil province. The attack injured one Peshmerga fighter, according to security sources cited by a Kurdistan Region-based news outlet.

The drones reportedly took off from Iranian territory near the Haji Omaran border crossing and struck a location associated with the KDPI on the outskirts of Soran. The KDPI confirmed the attack on one of its sites, describing the incident as resulting in a minor injury to a Peshmerga member. This action occurred just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in indirect talks with U.S. negotiators, discussing a potential resolution to ongoing regional conflicts.

The timing of the attack coincided closely with the anniversary of the Kurdistan Region’s 2017 independence referendum. The non-binding vote, which resulted in an overwhelming majority favoring independence from Iraq, triggered a military response from the Iraqi government and assaults by Iranian-backed militias on Kurdish positions, particularly around Kirkuk.

The Kurdistan Region’s armed forces, known as the Peshmerga, have recently announced their unification, signaling efforts to strengthen internal security. Kurdish authorities have expressed a desire for enhanced cooperation with Baghdad and the establishment of air defense systems to counter persistent threats from Iran. However, analysts note that Iran continues to exert significant influence over Iraqi security affairs, enabling it to carry out cross-border strikes with relative impunity.

Thursday’s drone attacks underscore Tehran’s determination to maintain pressure on Kurdish groups despite ongoing diplomatic discussions and potential agreements. Iranian officials view these strikes as part of a broader campaign to intimidate dissident factions and assert their right to extend military operations into northern Iraq. The assault highlights the ongoing volatility in the region and raises questions about the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s regional operations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.